GM Volt sales for February in US were 693, down 42.7% yoy. Terrible! GM total US sales were 231,378 vehicles for February, up 4% yoy.

Nissan reported 1,198 LEAF sales in US for Feb., down 15.9% yoy. Nissan Group sold 118,436 units overall in the US for Feb., up 2.7% yoy.

Simple metric to judge US Congress

Gasoline demand averaged over 8.6 mb/day over the last four weeks (EIA, week ending 2-20-15), up 3.3% yoy. Demand has eased as prices moved off the bottom.

Bond Bubble

The bond bubble will likely burst in 2015. President of St. Louis Federal Reserve James Bullard stated on Bloomberg (1-30-15) that he sees unemployment under 5% in Q3. Given the multiple potential problems with the international oil market, it is not difficult to imagine panic in the bond market.

“The last asset I would want to buy is a 30 year government bond.” – Warren Buffett (Fox News interview 2-4-15)

Peak Oil

Post Carbon Institute expects global oil production to start declining again in late 2015. The US Dollar’s reserve status will only blunt US inflation in the peak oil era. The bond bubble will burst. Gold and silver will rise.

China will float the Yuan to gain reserve currency status. However, weak oil dependent nations will suffer during peak oil. Eventually, humanity riding electric vehicles powered by greentech will kick its addiction to oil. A rising Yuan will float the currencies of the East. The Euro region will integrate its financial system. The world will be more stable under three major reserve currencies.

Providence, R.I. – Deepwater Wind Block Island, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deepwater Wind, has fully financed the Block Island Wind Farm, reaching financial close on more than $290 million in project financing provided by Mandated Lead Arrangers Societe Generale of Paris, France, and KeyBank National Association of Cleveland, Ohio.

In addition to its role as Mandated Lead Arranger, Societe Generale also acts as Financial Advisor for Debt Raise, Bookrunner and Administrative Agent.

With these major agreements, Deepwater Wind has now secured all debt and equity funding needed to construct and operate its 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm – already under construction.

Deepwater Wind is the only United States offshore wind company to reach this critical milestone. The Block Island Wind Farm will be America’s first offshore wind farm.

“We’re ecstatic to reach financial close and thrilled to be partners with Societe Generale and KeyBank for this groundbreaking clean energy project,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. “We’re full speed ahead and moving ever closer to ‘steel in the water.’”

“We at Societe Generale are proud to be a partner of Deepwater Wind, the U.S. leader in offshore wind power,” said Alexander Krolick, Director of Energy Project Finance in the Americas at Societe Generale. “Deepwater has assembled a world class management team and experienced contractors to develop this landmark project. As the first offshore wind farm to be developed in the U.S., the Block Island Wind Farm represents a milestone that expands SG’s offshore wind sector footprint outside of Europe and further strengthens our extensive global track record of advising clients and arranging debt for offshore wind projects.”

“Deepwater has long been at the forefront of offshore wind development,” said Andrew Redinger, managing director and head of KeyBanc Capital Markets Utilities, Power and Renewables Group. “We are pleased to provide financing for the first offshore wind project to be fully financed in the U.S., and look forward to working with Deepwater on future, transformative projects.”

The financing from Societe Generale and KeyBank is in addition to more than $70 million in equity funding already provided by Deepwater Wind’s existing owners, principally an entity of the D.E. Shaw Group.

Construction is well underway on the wind farm.

• Alstom will supply five Haliade 150 6 MW offshore wind turbines for the project and has already completed the fabrication in Denmark of all 15 blades for the project.
• Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc., began fabrication work in January 2015 at its facilities in Houma, Louisiana, on the wind farm’s five steel jacket foundations. That work is scheduled to be complete in several months.
• Rhode Island-based Specialty Diving Services is expected to begin additional fabrication work on components of the foundation substructures at Quonset, Rhode Island in the coming weeks.

“Steel in the water” is planned for this summer, when all five foundations are scheduled for installation off the Block Island coast. The project will be in-service in the fourth quarter of 2016.

“We are on the cusp of bringing offshore wind from theory to reality in the U.S. We’re incredibly proud of our position at the forefront of the U.S. offshore wind industry,” Grybowski said. “We’ve brought together some of the best American and European expertise to build an outstanding project and finance team. We’re poised to launch a new American clean-tech industry, and it all starts here with our work on the Block Island Wind Farm.”

Photo courtesy of Network RailPreparation work begins to electrify South Wales railway

Network Rail will soon begin major preparation work in the run up to electrifying the South Wales Mainline.

The electrification of the railway between London and Swansea will provide faster, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys for tens of thousands of passengers every day. It will also help stimulate economic growth across the region by better connecting towns and cities in South Wales and beyond.

In order to accommodate the overhead lines which will power the electric trains, some road, foot and rail bridges that span the Mainline will need to be raised, either by amending the existing structure or demolishing the existing bridge and building something new in its place.

The electrification project has a phased approach to minimise disruption to communities, with work moving from east to west. Work on the first bridges in South Wales will kick-start in Monmouthshire this spring.

Graeme Tandy, route delivery director for Network Rail, said: “Electrification will transform the railway between London and South Wales to make journeys faster, more reliable, greener and quieter for passengers. It will also help support economic growth across South Wales.

“In order to reap the benefits of an electrified railway, an extensive construction programme is first required, including work to prepare the line for overhead lines. This will begin in Monmouthshire shortly and will include work to a number of existing bridges that are too low to accommodate the new infrastructure. We try to avoid reconstructing bridges where possible, but at some locations it is the only feasible option, particularly if a bridge is in poor condition. Once this work is completed the reconstructed bridges won’t need to be replaced for more than 100 years.

“I apologise for any disruption caused, but I want to reassure local communities we will complete the work in the quickest and safest possible way to minimise disruption and work with local authorities to plan appropriate diversions.

“We will begin holding drop-in sessions for residents this spring and I would encourage people to come along to find out about the work and the long-term benefits electrification will bring to South Wales.”

The first bridges identified as requiring reconstruction are two footbridges near Magor. Work to replace Undy Halt footbridge, in the village of Undy, and Whitewall footbridge, which connects Whitewall Road to Magor village centre, is expected to begin in June and be completed by autumn.

The public footpaths over the current footbridges will be temporarily closed whilst the existing structures are removed and replaced with new footbridges.

Network Rail is developing a programme that will see a number of bridges in Monmouthshire modified over the coming years.

The project is being carefully planned so that work is staggered to eliminate the chances of neighbouring bridges being closed at the same time. Network Rail is working closely with local authorities to ensure effective and appropriate diversions are put in place.

As part of the project, overgrown vegetation is being cut back along the railway in Monmouthshire to avoid it coming into contact with the overhead electrified lines.

Work to bridges and vegetation clearance is expected to be completed in 2016, piling work will then begin, which is required to install foundations which will facilitate overhead electrical lines.

Members of the public who are interested in finding out more about electrification in Monmouthshire are invited to public information sessions, which will be held between 2pm and 8pm on the following dates:

Monday 9 March at Undy Church and Community Hall, Church Road, Undy, Caldicot, NP26 3EN.

Notes

The South Wales Mainline is an important rail route linking major towns and cities across the region. Electrification will transform the railway between London and Swansea to deliver a faster, greener, quieter and more reliable railway for passengers with extra capacity. This investment, as well as the introduction of a new fleet of trains, will improve journey times and make services more comfortable, smoother, cleaner and quieter for passengers and people living near the railway.

Two Successful World Premieres at the Geneva International Motor Show: QUANT F and QUANTiNO

Photo courtesy of nanoFLOWCELL AG

Two Successful World Premieres at the Geneva International Motor Show: QUANT F and QUANTiNO

Photo courtesy of nanoFLOWCELL AG

GENEVA – nanoFlowcell AG opens its presentation at the Geneva International Motor Show with two world premieres. Nunzio La Vecchia, Chief Technical Officer of nanoFlowcell AG, unveiled the two latest models featuring nanoFlowcell® technology at the Geneva International Motor Show: the QUANT F and its little brother QUANTiNO, the first QUANT low-voltage vehicle in the world.

Nunzio La Vecchia, Chief Technical Officer of nanoFlowcell AG, opened the presentation of nanoFlowcell AG with two world premieres in Geneva. The company presents the two latest models featuring nanoFlowcell(R) technology at the Geneva International Motor Show: the QUANT F and its little brother QUANTiNO, the first QUANT low-voltage vehicle in the world.Photo courtesy of nanoFlowcell AG

“We see the flow-cell technology as the most promising technology with the greatest potential for the future of sustainable electromobility without harmful emissions. It offers an enormous range as well as exceptional performance. For us it represents the best alternative to battery-powered or fuel cell-powered electric vehicles. The flow-cell drive system eliminates many of the disadvantages inherent in existing drive systems and it is also more cost-effective. In our view, the flow cell is the future of electromobility,” said Nunzio La Vecchia after the two world premieres presented by nanoFlowcell AG.

The new QUANT F is an impressive demonstration of the fact that enormous performance and environmental sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive in the automotive field: a complete re-design of its predecessor QUANT E, the electric vehicle equipped with nanoFlowcell® technology can reach speeds of more than 300 km/h – full electric and without harmful emissions, it has a range of up to 800 km. With its new 2-speed automatic transmission, the 5.25-metre e-sports sedan weighing in at 2.3 tonnes and capable of carrying four people can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in only 2.8 seconds.

But it was not only the QUANT F that attracted a lot of attention at the world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show.

With the new QUANTiNO, nanoFlowcell AG also unveiled the world’s first QUANT low-voltage vehicle as a concept car. Operating on a rated voltage of only 48 V, the QUANTiNO generates an output of four times 25 kW/136 hp with a combination of nanoFlowcell®, buffer system and electric motors. The QUANTiNO has a top speed of more than 200 km/h and a range of over 1,000 km. A 2+2 seater with a length of 3.91 metres, the car impresses with its unique design. One stand-out detail: the 22-inch wheels, which the QUANTiNO inherited from its big brothers QUANT E and QUANT F.

With its two 175-litre tanks, the QUANTiNO has a total capacity of 350 litres of ionic liquids, one carrying a positive charge, the other a negative charge. The refuelling process is similar to how it is done today, with the difference that two tanks are filled with different liquids simultaneously.

“As the first QUANT low-voltage vehicle, the QUANTiNO’s range of over 1,000 km is quite ground-breaking. Low-voltage systems are the ideal complement to our nanoFlowcell®. With a rated voltage of only 48 volts and the large currents that the nanoFlowcell® can deliver in combination with the buffer system, we are achieving an enormous range and exceptional performance figures in fully electric operation. As an electric vehicle for the public at large, the QUANTiNO represents a relatively cost-effective concept with great potential for the future. A first prototype is set to take to the road as early as 2015. We are also aiming for rapid homologation in preparation for series production,” added La Vecchia.

“This year’s Geneva Motor Show is going to be QUANTastic,” enthuses Professor Jens Ellermann, President of the Board of Directors of nanoFlowcell AG, who is elated with the positive response the world premieres of the QUANT F and the QUANTiNO have elicited among visitors at the motor show.

“In our view, the future of electromobility is clearly the flow cell. Anyone dealing with the future of electromobility and sustainable drive technologies professionally will no longer be able to ignore the topic of the flow cell,” added Professor Jens Ellermann.

The company nanoFlowcell AG will also be expanding its activities based on the flow cell. “The potential applications for the nanoFlowcell® cover a very diverse range, and not only in the automotive sector. For this reason, we have extended our research and development activities into other fields and industry sectors. The flow cell technology is also of interest for sectors like aerospace, railways and shipping, road haulage and housing construction and building services. Initial talks exploring opportunities for cooperative ventures with leading international companies in these sectors are already under way,” emphasised Nunzio La Vecchia.

“In an effort to continue to drive the growth and the development opportunities associated with the nanoFlowcell®, we are currently thinking about a diverse range of strategic options, including a possible IPO. The first promising talks are already taking place,” said Nunzio La Vecchia in commenting about the development opportunities and plans for nanoFlowcell AG.

“With these new QUANT models, we are ushering in a new generation of electromobility. And yet, the scope of the nanoFlowcell® is much bigger. To recognise this and advance it systematically is the job ahead of us for the coming months and years,” said Prof. Ellermann.

Photo courtesy of Formula E Formula E to be powered by solar energy in Miami

Florida Power & Light Company has partnered with Formula E to power the cars in the inaugural Miami ePrix.

FPL announced the partnership at its Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center along with famed race car driver and Formula E team owner Michael Andretti.

“Our partnership with Formula E and the Miami ePrix is another example of our commitment to advancing zero-emissions solar energy and the use of electric vehicles in Florida,” said Eric Silagy, President and CEO of FPL. “By the end of 2016 we will triple the energy we are able to produce from the sun, furthering our mission to provide low-cost, reliable and clean energy to our 4.7 million customers.”

During the announcement, Formula E cars were charged with power generated from the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center, one of three solar power plants operated by FPL. Earlier this year, FPL announced plans to install more than 1 million solar panels at three additional solar power plants by the end of 2016. These new plants, combined with community-based solar installations and other small-scale arrays that FPL is installing, would total more than 225 MW of new solar capacity. This would effectively triple FPL’s solar capacity, which currently totals approximately 110 MW.

“The Formula E Miami ePrix is all about sharing our passion for electric vehicles,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E. “The race series is exciting, it’s entertaining, and we hope it will turn the world’s attention to the potential electric vehicles have to change the way we power transportation. We are pleased to partner with FPL – a company that shares our vision for powering the future with affordable, clean energy.”

“It’s an honour for us to have been selected as one of the 10 founding Formula E teams for the inaugural season,” said Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO of Andretti Sports Marketing. “I look forward to bringing this exciting series to North America and joining an impressive field of competitors at the upcoming race in Miami.”

Formula E cars will continue to be powered by the virtually zero-emission Aquafuel generators at the remaining races.

BARCELONA, Spain – Ford Motor Company is expanding its global Ford Smart Mobility plan with a new experiment to study how electric bicycles can work seamlessly with cars and public transport to deliver faster and easier daily commutes and help businesses operating in urban centres.

The experiment called Handle on Mobility was detailed today at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and marks the latest mobility project the company has announced worldwide this year as part of Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to help change the way the world moves through innovation in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, customer experience and big data.

These experiments will help test transportation ideas for better customer experiences, more flexible user-ship models and social collaboration that can reward customers.

“Changing the way we think, collaborate and behave is essential to ensuring freedom of movement of both people and economies,” said Barb Samardzich, chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. “The Ford Smart Mobility plan supports our commitment to innovation and is aimed specifically at developing smarter transportation systems that take the worry and anxiety out of journey planning and improve the quality of life in busy cities.”

Traffic problems and overly-long commutes have a significant economic and social impact in large cities. According to the European Commission, congestion within the European Union costs about €100 billion per year.* A study by the U.K. Office of National Statistics shows that each minute added to a commute affects anxiety, happiness and general well-being.**

Handle on Mobility
The Handle on Mobility experiment extends the range of transport solutions for a connected journey that is more efficient, safer, healthier, and enables journeys to be completed with less anxiety and stress.

As a starting point for the experiment, Ford challenged employees around the world to submit designs for e-bikes. The prototype MoDe:Me and MoDe:Pro e-bikes presented at Mobile World Congress are among the top designs from more than 100 submitted.

Both e-bikes are equipped with a 200-watt motor with 9-amp-hour battery that provides electric pedal assist for speeds of up to 25 km/h. The prototype e-bikes offer technology inspired by the automotive industry including, for example, a rear-facing ultrasonic sensor. This enables a rider alert system that both warns the cyclist when a vehicle is overtaking, by vibrating both handlebars, and alerts motorists of the presence of the e-bike by illuminating handlebar lights.

The bikes, which fold easily into Ford vehicles, meet the needs of different users:

The MoDe:Me e-bike – built with the help of bicycle manufacturer Dahon – is intended for urban commuters to keep moving in congested city traffic. It folds and stows easily, allowing commuters to park on the city outskirts, take the e-bike onto public transport and travel to the centre, then ride the e-bike to their destination

The MoDe:Proe-bike – built by a Ford team – is intended for urban commercial use such as by couriers, electricians, and goods and delivery services. It is designed to stow safely into commercial vehicles such as Transit Connect, which can act as carrier and support vehicle, and be combined with more than one e-bike

The prototype MoDe:Me and MoDe:Pro e-bikes work with a prototype app called MoDe:Link compatible with the iPhone 6. Real-time information from the app enables the e-bikes to deliver:

Navigation: Handle-bar grip vibrations let the rider know when to turn. Turn signals are triggered automatically for safety. The app can identify bike-friendly roads, hazards and alerts, and will be able to sense, and communicate with other vehicles

Multimodal navigation and smart routing: Integrates journey planning with personal vehicle and public transportation networks, which can be filtered by cost, time, and amount of biking. Map includes weather, parking costs, and charging stations

Speed and comfort: Electric pedal assist rate can be adjusted based on heart rate, “No Sweat” mode reduces the requirement to pedal, allowing riders to arrive fresh at their destination

SYNC compatibility: While the e-bike is stowed and charging inside the vehicle, Ford’s SYNC voice-activated connectivity system shows the app on the vehicle’s display

After users input a destination, the MoDe:Link app lists possible journeys and then provides step-by-step or turn-by-turn navigation. This might include driving to a train station, taking an e-bike onto the train, then riding the bike from the train stop to the final destination. The app also updates the route as circumstances change. For example, if a train service is cancelled, the app could recommend that a commuter drive instead.

“There are so many ways to get around a city, but what is really needed is a way to connect all of these transport options together,” said Ken Washington, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “Being able to seamlessly move between cars, buses, trains and e-bikes and react to changing traffic situations can make a big difference both for commuters and for those delivering goods, services and healthcare.”

Info Cycle experiment
Ford at Mobile World Congress is showcasing for the first time in Europe the Info Cycle experiment, an open-source research initiative to gather information about how bikes are used in different urban areas. The project has been designed to enhance understanding of the biking ecosystem and to improve safety for cyclists, as well as exploring improved mapping, smart journey planning and community-based services. A sensor box on the frame gathers data such as wheel speed, acceleration, weather and altitude.

Global mobility projects
Ford first announced Ford Smart Mobility and an initial 25 experiments designed to anticipate what customers will want and need in tomorrow’s transportation ecosystem at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. There are now experiments in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and South America. These experiments include:

Further global experiments include the Innovate Mobility Challenge Series. Ford invited innovators and developers around the world to create solutions for specific mobility challenges in England, Portugal, North America and South America, Africa, India and China, with the series continuing in Australia this year. Challenges have included finding technology solutions to identify open parking spaces in urban areas, better ways to navigate crowded cities and the use of navigation and other tools to help people gain access to medical care in remote areas.

Last month at the International CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany, Ford President and CEO Mark Fields also announced Ford’s participation in the following initiatives:

The Personal Mobility Innovation Experience: This recently launched project aims to identify the features, technologies, services and solutions that could enable Ford to meet changing preferences and expectations for personal mobility, and help address societal challenges such as traffic congestion and environmental issues. The research partnership between the Ford European Research & Innovation Centre, in Aachen, Germany, and the Technology and Innovation Management Institute of RWTH Aachen University will look at examples such as Apple and Amazon – which have expanded from being single product and service providers to delivering a full ecosystem of hardware and software platforms and services. The project will identify how such approaches could deliver enhanced car-ownership experiences, new approaches to car-sharing and personalisation of mobility solutions, and create innovative features and new business opportunities

UK Autodrive: Ford also is contributing to an initiative that is researching how driverless and connected cars can be integrated into everyday life. The company will provide two prototype cars with vehicle-to-vehicle communication capability to help test an innovative public transport system.

“At Ford, we’re innovating in every part of our business and we’re open to smarter ways of keeping the world moving freely,” Samardzich said. “Our commitment to mobility extends far beyond vehicles and includes investing in a range of mobility projects and experiments. Such ongoing research projects help us to find out what works and to develop smarter, more connected mobility solutions.”